FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: What India need to qualify to the third round?
Anything less than three points against Qatar will jeopardize India's hopes of qualification.
The Indian football team takes on Qatar in a must-win game in the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Joint Qualifiers Round 2 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Ar-Rayyan on Tuesday.
The Blue Tigers enter this fixture on the back of a goalless draw with Kuwait in their previous match in Kolkata. India currently occupy the second spot in the table with five points from games, the same as third-placed Afghanistan, but with a superior goal difference. Qatar have already secured their qualification, while Kuwait sit at the bottom of Group A with four points.
| Teams | Matches | Win | Draw | Loss | Goal Difference | Points |
| Qatar (Q) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 13 |
| India | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 5 |
| Afghanistan | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -10 | 5 |
| Kuwait | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
Igor Stimac’s side kicked off their campaign with a solid 1-0 victory over Kuwait in November. However, their form has since taken a dip, managing to secure just two points in the next four matches. The Blue Tigers missed opportunities to secure more points against Kuwait at home and against Afghanistan over two legs to clinch their qualification to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time in history.
A Monumental Challenge awaits the #BlueTigers! 👊
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) June 10, 2024
Watch #QATIND tomorrow at 9:15 PM LIVE only on @FanCode! 📺#AsianQualifiers #FIFAWCQ #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball | @IndianFootball @SuyashU pic.twitter.com/CoC9xDvWHr
Nonetheless, they still have a chance for qualification but face a monumental task ahead as they confront mighty Qatar in the final match of Round 2.
Here’s what India needs to qualify for Round 3:
Scenario 1: Despite a string of poor results, the Blue Tigers still hold their fate in their hands. However, they must take the hardest route. India have to defeat the 34th-placed Qatar, who will be fielding a relatively younger squad on Tuesday and hope that Afghanistan doesn’t defeat Kuwait by a big margin to surpass India’s goal difference.
Scenario 2: India could still salvage a chance at qualification if they secure a draw against Qatar. To materialize this, they must also rely on Kuwait and Afghanistan playing out a draw in their fixture, which is also scheduled on Tuesday.
If India lose to Qatar, their chances of qualification to the next round will be over.
The India vs. Qatar match will be live-streamed on Fancode starting at 9:15 PM.
